AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE COMPETENCIES (SKILLS) DEVELOPMENT FOR EASA PART 66 STUDENTS

The award of aircraft maintenance license is made based on the competencies of the applicants. The requirements include the basic knowledge requirements, the skills and work experience. This posting discuss the issue involve in developing the skills components need for aircraft engineer.

1. Introduction
Competencies for a specific job are the cluster of skills set required to perform the JOB effectively according to a given performance criteria. In aircraft maintenance, the performance criteria are set by the authorities and the aircraft manufacturers the like of maintenance manual or CAIP

2. Competency Development Model
a. It is imperative that the skill development processes start from the day the trainees join the Training School  and ended on their graduation. It is frustrating and counterproductive to view the LOG BOOKS of final year students with BLANK entry for BASIC SKILLS.

The model consists of 3 basic components,
- competency plan,
- competency development
- assessment and recording.

The above components have to be managed by the Approved Training School. The authorities, like DCAM are more interested on the assessment and recording. They are less concerned on the planning development, as their roles as a licensing agency is to ensure the standards and requirements are met.

3. DCAM Requirements:
DCAM is very clear and specific on the Knowledge Requirements as detailed in the AN1101/Part 66. However the skills components are open and best guided by the Logbook CAP 741. There are subject the interpretation and experiences of the ATO.

4. The broad requirements are given under AN1201 para 6.4 :
a. Basic Practical Training and Validation
   i. The practical training element shall cover the practical use of common tooling/equipment, the disassembly/assembly of a representative selection of aircraft parts and the participation in representative maintenance activities being carried out relevant to the particular modules such as Modules 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of Appendix 1 specified in AN No. 1101.
  ii. The skills and experiences acquired by the trainees at the ATO or maintenance organisation shall be validated by a Validator.
  iii. The evidence of validation shall be documented using a document approved by DGCA.

 b. Basic Practical Assessment shall: i. be conducted by an approved practical assessor and carried out in a manner that is acceptable to DGCA; and ii. ensure evidence of skill and experience acquisition and determine whether the student is competent at using tools and equipment and working in accordance with maintenance manuals. The student shall also be assessed on their situational awareness ability.

 5. PROPOSED METHOD:
There are 4 interrelated processes, Planning, Development , Assessment and Recording.

 i. The planning to be linked to the modules, OJT, the logbook and the assessment processes.
ii. Example.

Year	Modules/ OJT	Expected Skills	Log Book to Fill/ Record	Assessment
1	Foundation –  Basic Workshop	1.Use basic tools 2.micrometer	a. 2.2.B2 b.2.2.A1	When to do assessment
1	Foundation Safety	Safety awareness	a. 2.2.A1	When to do assessment

                                 

6. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION 

    a. Concept Discussion and agreement 

    b. Processes and time line 

    c. Resource allocation